Desk construction



J. MICHAELS.

DESK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, I920.

1 ,372,626. Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I N VEN TOR J. MlCHA ELS. DESK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, I920.

INVENTOR Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- PATENT OFFICE.-

J'OHN' MICHAELB, OF WESTIIOUNT, QUEBEC, CANADA.

DESK oons'rnuo rroim Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application filed July 24, 1920. Serial No. 898,803.

To all whom it may concern verted, and the low desk of table form-inaptly covered.

The objects of the invention are to gain all the advantages of a high desk and eliminate the permanent inconveniences thereof by its ready conversion into a low table desk to furnish more facilities for working and at the same time permit a change of position from a sitting posture to a standing posture by raising the writing top, thus relieving the worker considerably, to furnish large and small establishments at a minimum eX pense, especially where many desks are re quired, by reducing the original cost as compared to roll top and high desks; and generally to provide durability, serviceability and efiiciency indesk construction.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of the construction and end piece supports.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable-writing top showing a preferable form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of a telescopic leg of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of the writing top leg extension.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the leg illustrated in the three preceding figures showing the operating means.

I Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 the desk is shown in a raised position with the end supports hinged and each formed of the several leaves 40 which are so many con nected slats preferably joined by the canvas lengths 4:1, so that the raising and lowering can be done to the height required and the top held up to its extreme high position by the said end pieces fully extended.

TlllS construction is new as applied to desks or boards, but the slat arrangement connected by canvas has been known in other directions. The carriage type of cover will serve to inclose the board as described and shown, or one of the other covers herein speclfied may be used in place of this colla sible top.

n Figs. 2, 3, 4,.and 5 the desk or table 84, 1s supported on preferably rectangular or round telescopic legs 85 and 86, the slidmg sections 85 being secured to the table 84; and the slide sections 86 standing on the floor and receiving the sections 85 the latter having vertical slots 87. The pulley shafts '88 extend through the slots 87 and are rigidly held on the leg sections 86 across the top and the pulleys 89 are journaled on said shafts 88. The counterbalancing weights 90 are suspended by the cords 91 and the latter extend over the pulleys 89 and are attached to the bottom ends of the leg sections 85, therefore the board table 84 may be easily raised and when up can be held in that position by the hinged supporting pieces 92 and 93 hinged'to the cross rails 94 and 95 and to the table 84.

It is obvious that piano benches, and special tables, come within the province of this invention.

It must be understood that without departing from the spirit of the invention, the

features of construction may be somewhat varied'though not to any material extent, as it is necessary to reduce the weight of the top and vertically sliding portion of the desk at several points, particularl points adjacent to the longitudinal an lateral edges, in other words the weight of the top portion must positively be to all intents and purposes eliminated, and in taking away the weight it must be done by distribution, and in this distribution, the support is to be near the back and near to the front of the desk, and at the sametime, near to the ends, otherwise it cannot be accom lished with an degree of satisfaction. he means emp oyed herein described are weights and pulleys which in themselves are very old devices and have been used in beds, couches and various articles of furniture, but the construction of the standing desk, useful for ofiice, studio or any other work-room, has

. of a flat, low deskto an elevated position requires an ingenious distribution of weight.

whereby the exertion in raising the top is minimized, and from all directions it will lift almost of itself.

What I claim is 1. A desk comprising a frame supported from the floor at each corner, a table top 4 having supports at each corner projecting downwardly into and vertically slidable in said frame supports adjacent to the longitudinal end edges, a plurality of cables engaging said table top supports at the lower portions thereof, and mounted on pulleys for an'upward pull of the table supports at the several corners of the table top, weights drawing on said cables and approximating the weight of the table and its supports, and so arranged as to eflect an even distribution of the balancing of the table top portion weight throughout its whole area, and end pieces moving coincidently with the raising of the top and formin a rigid support between the frame and t e top at the extreme high position of the latter.

2. desk comprising a frame supported from the floor at each corner, a table top having supports at each corner rojecting downwardly into and vertically s lidable in said frame supports adjacent to the longitudinal end edges, a plurality of cables engaging said table top supports at the lower portions thereof, and mounted on pulleys for an upward pull of the table supports at the several corners of the table top, weights drawing on said cables and approximating the weight of the table and its supports, and so arranged as to effect an even distribution of the balancing of the table top portion weight throughout its whole area, and end pieces hinged to the top and moving into their positions coincidently with the raising of said top and forming end supports for said top in its extreme hi h position.

Signed at the city of ontreal, in the Province of Quebec, in the Dominion of Canada, this 13th da of July, 1920.

. OHN MICHAELS. 

